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New Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport collection brings a subtly sporty touch to the hit lineup New Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport collection brings a subtly sporty touch to the hit lineup
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New Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport collection brings a subtly sporty touch to the hit lineup

Zach Blass
  • New Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport collection replaces former “GT” line
  • Collection includes two chronographs and two automatics each presented with silver dials in steel and rose gold cases, and on integrated rubber straps
  • The Sport Auto uses new 41mm case size, with the addition of a central seconds hand the PF Micro-Rotor does not have

The bones of the Tonda were always there, but it took the trained eyes of Parmigiani Fleurier CEO Guido Terreni to cull and refine the collection into the “PF” generation launched in 2021. The previous watches were by no means bad, but visually there was room for improvement and scope to give the design more mass appeal, rather than solely speaking to gear-head collectors. The Tonda PF Micro-Rotor and Tonda PF Rattrapante GMT have proven to be a real hit since their respective releases, but today the latest generation of the lineup evolves even further to address a sportier sensibility. Presented through the new Parmigiani Fleurier Sport collection, the PF Sport Auto and PF Sport Chronograph replace and refine the previous “GT” line to offer a subtly sporty take on the Tonda PF of today.

The new Tonda PF Sport Collection will replace the Tonda GT models pictured above.

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport Auto

When comparing the new Tonda PF Sport Auto to the Tonda GT Auto it will replace, it is immediately clear that the new model has a much more balanced dial that also creates more cohesion with its Tonda PF peers. The removal of the big date paves the way for the now-signature “PF” applied logo at 12′. A dial-contrasting silver on black date complication assumes the 6′ position, replacing the rather confusing small seconds register. Instead, the small seconds has evolved into a central seconds hand.  The Tonda PF Micro-Rotor watches strictly offer hours, minutes and date. This new Tonda PF Sport Auto provides something more visually in line with PF-era, while also offering the novelty, or opportunity, of participating in this latest era of the Tonda PF with a central seconds hand.

It may seem silly, but I know collectors who refuse to purchase a watch that does not have running seconds on the dial, as they argue a watch feels stale without it or “not alive”. Also offered, which you cannot find in the current Tonda PF Micro-Rotor lineup, is a dial with a luminous central hours and minutes hand and applied hour indices, filled with black SuperLuminova. Another update is the new textured water-resistant rubber strap, for an appropriately sporty touch, that still upholds the elegance associated with the line through its saddle-stitch that gives the illusion of a leather strap with a textile-upper.

The Tonda PF Micro-Rotor is offered in both 36mm and 40mm sizes, but the Tonda PF Sport Auto, takes a small jump up to 41mm in diameter and an increase of 2mm in thickness over the 40mm Micro-Rotor model at 9.8mm thick. The case also features a very subtle refinement: a reduction of 60 notches, down to 160 from 220, on the fluted bezel. This alters the manner in which light plays with the facets of the bezel. And it is important to note that, unlike the Tonda PF Micro-Rotor, the steel models within the sport collection have steel bezels – not platinum. The Sport Auto can be purchased in either stainless steel or 18K rose gold. Both, however, utilise the silver “clou triangulaire” dial. Exhibited inside, you have the in-house automatic calibre PF770 with 60 hours of power reserve and a brand new 22K gold oscillating weight exclusive to the Sport lineup that is inspired by the steering wheel of the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO.

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport Chronograph

The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport Chronograph yet again displays refinement that prioritises cleaning up the aesthetic to make the Tonda PF collection cohesive throughout its various evolutions. With the removal of the annual calendar complication, the register indications are much more legible and easier to grasp – with a 12-hour elapsed hours register at 9′, a running seconds register at 6′, and a 30-minute elapsed minutes register at 3′. A refinement also made on the Auto side, the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph has had a textural revamp from its GT predecessor with a re-sized “clou triangulaire” guilloché that offers a more subtle and discrete visual presence.

Dimensionally speaking, compared to its Tonda GT Chronograph predecessor, the case remains handsomely mixed-finished and 42mm in diameter, But, the removal of the annual calendar complication can, perhaps, be attributed to its slimmer profile of 12.9mm thick (down from 13.7mm thick). As we have seen lately, with releases such as the Breguet Type XX/20, I imagine some people will not particularly favour the 4:30 positioned square aperture with the silver on black date complication. Its position allows the registers to be uninterrupted, which is a positive. But I can already anticipate dial purists refereeing to the date window as a zit on the dial.

The in-house automatic solum-wheel chronograph calibre PF offers different decoration to the Auto’s calibre PF770, with a sunburst pattern applied to the topside of the various bridges rather than the traditional Côtes de Genève. This gives it a more modern edge, and is in line with the style of finish we have seen on Parmigiani’s latest chronograph models as well – again, it is all about cohesion now. The hi-beat calibre offers 65 hours of power reserve, and has been certified by COSC as a chronometer movement running within the necessary +6/-4 seconds per day parameter.

Ultimately, I think this is a worthwhile segment to add to the Tonda PF lineup. It brings the desired cohesion into the collection the previous GT models did not provide. That being said, I think as this collection evolves it would make sense to split the PF Sport Chronograph into two segments: The Tonda PF Sport Chronograph and Tonda PF Sport Chronograph Date. This would appease both the dial purists and must-have-date contingents of the watch marketplace.

Parmigiani Fluerier Tonda PF Sport Auto & Tonda PF Sport Chronograph pricing and availability:

The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport collection is available now for inquiries and purchase. Pricing detailed below

Brand Parmigiani Fleurier Parmigiani Fleurier
Model Tonda PF Sport Auto Tonda PF Sport Chronograph
Case Dimensions 41mm (D) x 9.8mm (T) 42mm (D) x 12.9mm (T)
Case Material Stainless steel
18K rose gold		 Stainless steel
18K rose gold
Water Resistance 100m (screw-down crown) 100m (screw-down crown)
Dial Silver Silver with black counters
Crystal(s) Sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback Sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback
Strap Black rubber strap w/ case-matching folding clasp Black rubber strap w/ case-matching folding clasp
Movement In-house automatic calibre PF770 In-house hi-beat automatic calibre PF070
Power Reserve 60 hours 65 hours
Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, date Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph
Availability Now Now
Price US$21,300 (steel)
US$38,200 (18K rose gold)		 US$29,000 (steel)
US$50,200 (18K rose gold)